Bella Breaks Around Jamestown Record
The Mount Gay Rum Around Jamestown Record for keelboats was broken today when Bella Mente Racing circumnavigated the 19-nautical mile (Conanicut) island in one hour, 19 minutes and 25 seconds (elapsed time). The previous monohull record was set back in October of last year by Alex Wadson’s Shaw 6.50 Manic which completed the course in two hours and 29 seconds. With 20 sailors onboard, the 72-foot mini maxi started south off Fort Adams in Newport at noon and was accompanied throughout the challenge by an easterly breeze between 12 and 16 knots. Tomorrow the team will revisit the course when it competes in IRC for the Around-the-Island portion of the 160th New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex. The team will continue in the event on Saturday and Sunday for buoy racing.